In short: Moving this race from the OU to the Xscape gave it so much potential- however much improvement needed for next year. Now not one to moan but for the entry fee think Nike could have helped provide a goody bag at the end! Date of review: March 8, 2010

In short: my home course, why did we miss the high lights?In full: I did the 10k due to injury, was VERY surprised to be starting before the half runners, who not long after over-took us with yells of 'get over 10k runners' which i honestly think everyone was trying to do. This was not an ideal race for your first 10K, and if it was mine i might never have done another, marshalling on the 10k was loose to say the least, saw people sneaking off, assuming they were having a sneaky loo break but no, they were taking a short cut when i saw them rejoin a long way in front. Such a shame. No goody bags - only one i got was in the Wetherspoon, saw one Nike marshall on my route - so why is it a nike race? Date of review: March 8, 2010

In short: Surprisingly scenic, mostly flat, some organisational issues but overall a good race.In full: Pros

Easy to get to by car;Generally flat, fast route (but with a sting in the tail);Good marshalling (I thought);Well-spaced, well stocked water stations;The start/finish venue has potential (but see below);Glorious weather :)Polite, friendly runners (compared to some big city events I've been to...)

Cons

No separation of faster and slower runners, and starting the 10k and half together caused congestion;Queues for baggage;Lack of signage at the start/finish area;Loud-speakers weren't very loud;Race pack was lacking in some information (e.g. map didn't show the start/finish);

Overall I thought it was a decent race and with a bit of work on the organisational front it could become an excellent one.Date of review: March 8, 2010

In full: Loved the start & Finish location much improved on the Open University last year. The route is a good one and despite the up hill finish its a fast course. Didn't like the start process as no markers for times and an absolute mess with the 10K going off just before the half, we caught them after less than a mile and the congestion was awful. At the finish they gave us know bananna or snack given the cost of entry thought this was terrible. I live in MK and would suggest they could make the course more interesting the bit around Broughton was boring though I love the lakes & Woughton etc. I run this every year and would recommend it but suggest the organisers need to take what was good in previous years and make the most of the better location for start and finish!Date of review: March 8, 2010

In short: Poor signage for start/toilets/information but great once you got started.In full: This was the first half marathon for me, though I have attended a variety of other organised events, both as a spectator and a participant.

Despite a shaky start to actually find the start of the race, once started I thought it went pretty well. I would agree with many of the other comments, it would have been really helpful for there to be some kind of signage to indicate approximate running times - anyone doing a half marathon surely has some idea of the time they are likely to achieve......crazy as we are to enter a half-marathon, credit us with some sense! The other thing I would agree with is the time lag between the start of the 10K and the half.....was there even a time lagg or was it just a free for-all? that is how it appeared to me. I was standing further forward than I intended but with no guidance all I could do was judge based on how fit people looked.....not exactly scientific!

Overall though I thought the route was pretty good and more pleasant than expected. The hills towards the end were a challenge with jelly legs!! 2h 12 mins...I was happy with that - something to improve on!

Overall the event could be better but it wasn't bad, the parking was easy and plenty of places to eat at the finish....result!Date of review: March 8, 2010

In short: great weather, great event, great fun, and a PBIn full: AS SAID BEFORE, PERHAPS AN EARLIER START FOR THE 10K`ERS AND A FEW MORE SIGN`S OR A RUNNERS VILLAGE PERHAPS (PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THAT), BUT GREAT FOR A 1ST ATTEMPT @ THE CITY CENTREDate of review: March 8, 2010